Big weekend in Lewiston

From
a foot race to a motorcycle rally, "Cinderella" to the Spoons
(and did someone say something about an art festival?), the Village
of Lewiston will be jam-packed with events this weekend.

The
larger happenings include:

Saturday
- 'River Run'

Mount
St. Mary's Hospital will hold its 10th annual "River Run" on
Saturday. The USATF-sanctioned, 5K-run/2-mile walk starts at 9 a.m.
The course begins and ends at the Red Brick Municipal Building in the
Village of Lewiston, with a main portion of the course following
Lower River Road.

Registration
will be held from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. at the Red Brick, 145 N. Fourth
St. The post-race party is at 10 a.m. and the award's ceremony
follows at 10:30 a.m.

Saturday
and Sunday - Friends of the Lewiston Library annual book sale

The
Friends of the Lewiston Public Library group will hold its annual
book sale at the Red Brick Municipal Building, 145 N. Fourth St.
Saturday hours are 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Sunday hours are 9 a.m.
until 4 p.m.

For
$5, on Sunday, shoppers can fill a bag with books.

Saturday
and Sunday - Art Festival

The
Lewiston Council on the Arts presents the 46th annual Art Festival.
Running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days, this prestigious event will
showcase the work of more than 175 professional and student artists
from 13 states. Participants will compete for prize money awarded in
categories including painting, photography, graphic arts, sculpture,
artistic crafts (ceramics, wood, fiber, glass) and jewelry.

A
highlight of the Art Festival is the Chalk Walk competition, wherein
high school students create murals on Center Street with a culturally
significant theme (this year's: "Diversity is ..."). Judging
takes place about 4 p.m. on Saturday.

College
Alley will again feature the work of 23 high school and college
students on North and South Fifth Street. A special addition to the
2012 Art Festival is a weekend-long residency program for Native
American artists Rosemary Hill, Simon Brascoupé and Karen
Hodge-Russell.

"Art
Inspired by our Ancestors" is the theme for exhibits,
demonstrations and art activities at 732 Center St., outside the
Tuscarora & Friends Gallery at the Lewiston Opera Hall.

Saturday
- 'The Spirit of the Eighties'

The
Lewiston-Porter Class of 1987 is sponsoring "The Spirit of the
Eighties," a concert reunion for Lew-Port alumni - and the first
U.S. show for '80s Canadian group the Spoons. The concert begins at
6 p.m. in Academy Park. Tickets are available at the door and during
the Art Festival.

One
of the highlights of "The Spirit of the Eighties" is the return
of The Mirrors (Kirk Andrews, Mark Acker, Chris Pucci and Tim Tyran).

The
synth band was responsible for such songs as "Love is Only a Word,"
"Yeah, Right," "Como Esta Usted" and "A Date From Hell."

"They
were kind of ahead of their time," said "Spirit" concert
organizer Michael Hanrahan. That's quite a notion considering the
guys were all in their teens when they formed The Mirrors.

This
will be the foursome's first time performing together since the
rockers' late '80s high school days.

The
family-friendly fairy tale boasts grand backdrops, elaborate dance
numbers, comedy, music and even puppets. Fans of the Disney animated
film, the Broadway musical or the TV adaptations will love Artpark's
interpretation of "Cinderella."

More
than 150 motorcycles are expected to drive into Lewiston Sunday
afternoon to celebrate the life of U.S. Army veteran Jonathon Cote,
and raise money to support a student at Williamsville North High
School and military services provided by WNY Heroes Inc.

While
working as a security contractor in Iraq in 2006, Cote was captured.
Almost two years later, his body was flown home to Buffalo.

"We
didn't want his death to be for nothing," said Jon's brother,
Christopher, who has organized the fundraiser. "We wanted to have
him still affect people's lives even though he passed away."

Jon
was a bike enthusiast, purchasing his first motorcycle when he was in
high school.

"He
just enjoyed riding," Christopher Cote said. "He loved the
feeling of freedom that it gave him."

Christopher
inherited one of Jon's bikes, and rides it during the benefit run.

Sign-in
for this event begins at noon at Williamsville North (horseshoe
driveway on Dodge Road). Participants will have the opportunity to
visit Jon's memorial tree and plaque. Registration ends at 1:30
p.m., at which time a rider meeting and prayer will take place.

The
ride begins at 2 p.m. and is a scenic drive through Western New York.
Motorcyclists will conclude their travel at Water Street Landing, 115
S. Water St., at about 3:30 p.m. The post-race party includes live
music, food, beverages, raffles, a silent auction and 50-50 split.

Christopher
Cote said his hope is that $1,000 can be raised for the high school
scholarship in his brother's memory. Additional funds will go
toward WNY Heroes.

The
fee to enter is $20 per rider and $10 per passenger. Participants
will receive a lapel pin, a decal and a food ticket.